China, Philippines seize 604 kg of crystal meth

Drug control authorities from China and the Philippines have managed to bust a drug trafficking ring of 13 and seized 604 kilograms of crystal meth in the Philippine city of Valenzuela, China's National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) said Sunday.

According to the NNCC, police in southeast China's Fujian Province and anti-trafficking authorities of Xiamen city arrested 12 suspects involved in cross-border drug trafficking in a raid on May 12.

Ensuing investigations revealed on May 25 that two of the suspects, identified by the NNCC only by their surnames Chen and Li, had hid the drugs in cylindrical roller printers that had already been cleared by Philippine customs.

Philippine law enforcement seized the drugs the next day after being briefed by their Chinese counterparts. A Philippine suspect was arrested.

A spokesman with the NNCC said the the case marked a major victory in law enforcement cooperation between China and the Philippines since October last year when drug control authorities from both sides signed a cooperation agreement, and showcased the two countries' determination in combating drug-related crimes.

Chinese drug control authorities will step up collaboration with their Philippine counterparts and offer full support for the Philippine's anti-drug operations, the spokesman said.